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ORIGINS
The potato's story begins about 8,000 years ago near Lake Titicaca, which sits at 12,500 ft. above sea level in the Andes mountain, on the border between Bolivia and Peru. There, evidence from archaeological sites indicates that potato was cultivated in the Peruvian Andes at least 7,000 years ago, and recent research suggests the plant's specific centre of origin lies in Peru, just north of Lake Titicaca.
Some 200 species of wild potatoes are found in the Americas. But it is in the Central Andes where the largest range of tuber crops was found. In fact, what we know as "the potato" (Solanum - tuberosum) contains just a fragment of the genetic diversity found in the 7 recognized potato species and 5,000 potato varieties still grown in the Andes.
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DAWN OF AGRICULTURE
Incan myths relate that VIRACOCHA, the Creator, caused the sun, moon and stars to emerge from Lake TITICACA. He also created agriculture when he sent his two sons to the human realm to study and classify the plants that grew there. They taught the people how to sow crops and how to use them so that they would never lack food.
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POTATOES ARE GOOD FOR YOU
Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, making them a good source of energy. They have the highest protein content ( 2.1% on a fresh weight basis) in the family of root and tuber crops, with an amino-acid pattern that is well matched to human requirements. They are also very rich in
vitamin C and potassium.
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